Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) runs in for a touchdown during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are taking a major step toward bringing back wide receiver Chris Godwin, who has remained off of the field since Week 7 last year.

Tampa Bay will soon activate Godwin from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, allowing him to "begin his ramp-up process for games."

The Bucs' star wideout likely won't return to game action until October, Schefter reported, but he is expected to start practicing during Week 2 of the regular season.

Godwin missed the final 11 weeks of the 2024 season after dislocating his ankle in the final minutes of a Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last year. He had been on pace for one of the best years of his career prior to the injury with a league-leading 50 catches to go with 576 receiving yards (second-most) and five touchdowns (third-most).

Godwin re-signed with the Buccaneers on a three-year, $66 million one day before he would have officially hit free agency.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Report: Buccaneers to activate WR Chris Godwin from PUP list

Reporting by Jack McKessy, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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